MarineLab and Hurricane Irma

On September 10, 2017, Category 4 Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Lower Florida Keys. Irma was a large storm and had a tremendous impact up and down our island chain. MarineLab sustained significant damage from the 3'-4' storm surge that flooded our Big Building, our cafeteria & kitchen, and the staff housing. Our Floating Classroom (FCC) was stranded high and dry on the dock, and also sustained damage from being battered by houseboats on either side of it. Fortunately our boats rode the storm out comfortably protected in our boat basin.

It took weeks of hard work on the part of the staff, but we were able to reopen to host students on November 10, two months after Irma hit. Everything is back to order, and we were able to take advantage of this opportunity to upgrade our cafeteria and do a little remodeling ahead of our original schedule!

We reached out to our students and teachers, with a GoFundMe page and a Registry. We are humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that resulted from our requests! Thank you to all who contributed to our recovery!